Be There For Your Tea

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis
on which the whole earth revolves.Thich Nhat Hanh
Why is it so difficult to do everyday actions mindfully? Because we’re on automatic
pilot, having done these things a million times. And because all too often we’re
rushing through life one step ahead of ourselves.
It makes such a change once we learn to stop every now and then and actually pay
attention to our actions. One good way to create these islands of mindfulness is
to every day do one certain thing, like having your 10 o’clock cup of tea (or coffee),
with full awareness.
Take ten minutes to make a proper pause and make your own little tea ceremony.
Slowly and mindfully prepare a nice cup of your favourite tea. Concentrate on
the feeling of the cup in your hand. Take a sip, close your eyes and taste the
invigorating warm drink. Think of where it comes from and be grateful to all the
people who have been involved in its production, transport and marketing. Take
a second sip, and be fully there for your tea. Let it be the axis on which the
whole earth revolves.